Social workers serve as a lifeline during challenging times. Embarking on a career in social work requires hands-on experience and a commitment to making a positive community impact. For those seeking to develop their skills in a dynamic and supportive environment, Distinctive Schools offers a unique and enriching social work internship program. Learn more on our website at https://bit.ly/DS_SocialWorkInterns and reach out to Jamie Bernstein to apply today!
3 months ago, Distinctive Schools
Social Work Interns – we appreciate you!
3 months ago, Distinctive Schools
https://bit.ly/CEO_Spotlight_ClaireTreesa23
We were excited to kick off the first session for a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) learning series with Dr. Amy Heineke last week! We collaborated and action planned for environmental scaffolds for multilingual learners. Our current practices emphasize heterogeneous grouping and push-in services to maximize time with grade level peers, maintain strong connection to core instruction, curriculum and standards, and provides opportunities for targeted support and instruction based upon student needs. #KeepGrowing #WeAreDistinctive
5 months ago, Distinctive Schools
CLD Professional Development!
This month, we're proud to highlight the exemplary efforts of Freddy Lares, one of our dedicated School Psychologists. Freddy brings an unparalleled work ethic to his role, always prioritizing the well-being and growth of our students. Beyond his primary duties, he's an invaluable pillar of support for our Student Support Team and the campuses he serves. Freddy is always advocating for the best interests of our kids, and we are so grateful for the work he does every single day to support Distinctive Schools students! Join us in celebrating Freddy's indelible impact on our community. This month, the spotlight is on you, Freddy! Thank you for all you do! #CEOSpotlight
5 months ago, Distinctive Schools
Congrats, Freddy Lares! CEO Spotlight
ICYMI – Earlier this month we were thrilled to have so many parents join our "Pancakes for Parents" event! We're excited about how many new families have joined Panther Parents – a group for all parents at CICS Loomis & CICS Longwood Elementary & High School. Panther Parents will plan events, fundraise with purpose, support in all spaces, and most of all be the voice to create solutions. If you missed this event, we'd love to see you at the next Panther Parents event! Reach out to Ms. Grier if you're interested! Special thanks to @GreyMatterPhotog for taking photos – check out the album here: https://bit.ly/CICSLoomisLongwoodEvents23
5 months ago, Distinctive Schools
Panther Parents at CICS Loomis & Longwood.
We are so proud of Dionne, Armond and Jaylen, AIM students who joined Kobe Williamson, @Distinctive Schools IT Network Engineer for a crash course in IT! During the "Network Infrastructure Revamp and Refresh” project students received a short lesson in IT fundamentals, hands-on training, and connected Ethernet cables to get our building wired and ready for learning! We’re so proud of our students and love to see the collaboration with the Distinctive IT team! #LearnerConnected
5 months ago, Art In Motion
AIM Students with Mr. Steele
Mike McCarthy & Whitney Rosetti presented with TeachUpBeat at the American Association for Employment in Education conference this week! In the presentation, "Cutting Through The Noise: Data On Teacher Retention & The Decisions That Keep Them" – Mike & Whitney shared strategies for amplifying team member voices to build a strong school & organizational culture. #WeAreDistinctive #AllMeansAll
5 months ago, Distinctive Schools
DS presents at AAEE conference
We’re excited to share that we have been appointed to serve as fiscal agents on the $6.5 million Race, Equity, Arts, and Cultural History (REACH) grant awarded by the United States Department of Education. We will be closely collaborating with the University of South Florida, for the purpose of uniting educators—including superintendents, principals, and teachers nationwide—along with artists, in immersive professional development experiences. Read more: bit.ly/DS_REACHgrant
5 months ago, Distinctive Schools
DS Awarded Fiscal Agent of REACH grant!
Our Community School Coordinators Jesus Meraz (CICS West Belden), Tammy Grier (CICS Loomis & CICS Longwood Elementary), Kimdric Waller (CICS Longwood High School), and Karin Breo (Dir. of Engagement & Community Schools) attended a community meeting hosted by the Chicago Learning Exchange at BUILD Chicago! The Chicago Learning Exchange connects and supports our city’s array of out-of-school time youth-focused people, programs, and organizations. This community meeting was a cross collaboration to hear about all of the great programs and partners in the city of Chicago and how we can all work together to support our students and families!
5 months ago, Distinctive Schools
Community School Coordinators
“We understand that making mistakes is part of growing up, and Restorative Practices provide an opportunity for each student to learn from the conflict,” -Michele Lansing, Distinctive Schools Network Director of Clinical Services. As part of our mission to create diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning, Distinctive Schools has focused on more equitable schools through an intentional shift away from traditional or punitive disciplinary measures. Restorative Justice is a method of conflict resolution that values relationships as the cornerstone of each student’s educational journey. When issues arise, we believe in creating a safe space for diverse perspectives to be heard, paving the way for healing and growth. Meet the incredible team putting Restorative Justice into practice every day and learn more about the practice here! https://www.distinctiveschools.org/article/1291005
5 months ago, Distinctive Schools
Restorative Justice
SAVE THE DATE. We're looking forward to connecting for Fall Family Conferences! Fall conferences will take place on Wednesday, October 25, from 1:30-6pm and Friday, October 27th from 8am-1pm. Educators, students, and families can review progress toward goals, report cards, and assessment score reports. Look for links to sign up with teachers via email!
5 months ago, Distinctive Schools
Fall Conferences – Save The Date!
Distinctive Schools will be closed on Monday, October 9th in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. On this day we will reflect on our history and the role of Native people and communities in American history. If you’d like to learn more, here are 5 Ways You Can Show Up In Solidarity With Indigenous People: https://bit.ly/5WaystoShowUpWithIndigenousPeople.
6 months ago, Distinctive Schools
indigenous peoples' day
This month, the CEO Spotlight is on our incredible Distinctive Schools Network IT & Data Leadership Team- Jean Fischer, Nichole Larvick, Nathan Suh, Roberto Vargas and Kobe Williams. This dynamic team has been working around the clock all summer long to ensure the strongest start to the school year. This team has worked hard, in partnership with Michele Nesbitt on the Strategy team, to develop and launch a Data Working Group across the organization supporting all teams and stakeholders. Their support with our campus transitions this past summer has been invaluable. They have balanced and juggled so much, but never get distracted from ensuring our learners and our staff have what they need to be successful each and every day. As an innovative network, we rely heavily on our IT access, digital resources and strong infrastructure to ensure our learners can thrive and our educators can be the best they can be. From access points, wireless infrastructure, transitions, new construction at our Art in Motion campus, logins, digital program implementation, rostering, SIS building, device distribution and repairs and so much more, this team does it all. Their strong leadership and vision help all of us be successful innovators and trailblazers. This month, the spotlight is on you, Distinctive IT & Data Leadership team! Thank you for everything you do!
6 months ago, Distinctive Schools
IT team
Last week we welcomed families to Curriculum Nights & Open Houses! Our teachers and staff were excited to share about what the school year will look like for their students, and preview the challenging and rewarding curriculum for this year. Special thanks to everyone who joined us!
6 months ago, Distinctive Schools
curriculum night
curriculum night
CICS Longwood students are #CollegeBound! Students from our CICS Longwood High School campus visited the University of Illinois Chicago. We are excited to see where our students’ educational paths will lead! They were so engaged, asking great questions, and ready to learn more about opportunities.
6 months ago, Distinctive Schools
UIC Visit
UIC visit
Chicago 8th graders – there are many opportunities to #BeDistinctive in your education. Join the Distinctive Schools family for high school at Art in Motion Creative Arts School or CICS Longwood High School! Each school offers a unique and extraordinary high school experience rooted in building strong relationships and powerful pathways – learn more at DistinctiveSchools.org
6 months ago, Distinctive Schools
DS high school
Fall Workshops launching now! LEAP Innovations will support schools in their innovation, student growth, personalized learning goals – registration is open now! Join us for: Relationships: Creating a Foundation for Learning on September 19th and Routines: Setting Conditions for Personalized Learning on October 17th! LEAP forward with us and sign up now at bit.ly/LEAP_FALL23
7 months ago, Distinctive Schools
leap
On Friday Distinctive Schools Mentor teachers participated in Mentor Academy to support professional development at their campuses. We are so excited to see what this group accomplishes – ready for our best year yet!
7 months ago, Distinctive Schools
mentor academy
We’re wishing you a fantastic and restful Labor Day break! We will be closed on Monday, and cannot wait to see our students back in the classroom on Tuesday, September 5. Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!
7 months ago, Distinctive Schools
Labor day
This month, the CEO spotlight is on Melinda Jean-Baptiste, highlighting her awesome leadership as Principal of our CICS Longwood Elementary School campus. We want to celebrate her work leading our CICS Longwood ES team to strong enrollment and her deep focus right now on creating a safe and nurturing school culture. Melinda is a committed leader who makes strong teaching and learning in all classrooms a top priority at her campus. She brings a focus on staff culture, balanced with high accountability and a culture of joy for students, families, and our entire community. Melinda's visionary leadership will set CICS Longwood ES on an extraordinary trajectory. Her emphasis on empathy, listening, learning, and understanding will continue to transform CICS Longwood ES into an environment for ongoing learning and growth. She has placed this pursuit at the forefront of her mission, ensuring that every classroom is a hub of educational excellence. Thank you, Melinda, for all you are doing to shape the future of CICS Longwood ES. Your exceptional leadership, dedication to education, and commitment to fostering a thriving school community make you an invaluable addition to our Distinctive Schools family. Your journey with us is just beginning, and we are excited to see the continued positive impact you'll bring. Congratulations, Melinda and welcome to our DS family! This month, the spotlight is on YOU!
7 months ago, Distinctive Schools
ceo spotlight